30 April 2014

Collects

Prayers developed from the daily readings 

Wednesday 30 April 2014 

Morning Prayer   

Psalms 148 and 149

These two psalms call on every part of creation to praise and glorify God.  Parts call for dance and celebration of victories over enemy nations.

Leviticus 16: 1 – 19

This is the set of precise instructions to Aaron the priest about how he should prepare himself what he should wear – linen garments, the sacrifices that should be made, when incense in used and why ,when he goes into the holy areas of the tent that houses the ark.

Luke 24: 1 – 12

On the first day of the week the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee and witnessed the crucifixion and watched Jesus being placed in the tomb come to the tomb with spices. They find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two men in dazzling white appear. The women are terrified. The men say Jesus is alive and risen and remind them of Jesus’ words about being handed over to sinners and rising on the third day. The women tell all this to the disciples. The disciples do not believe them. Peter runs to the tomb and also finds the linen clothes. He is amazed.

Collect for Morning Prayer

New Norcia Benedictine Community WA
Cross from South America
2014 L Osburn

Almighty God you made the heavens and seas and all forms of life. We thank you for all creation and all creative acts – song, art, music and multi-media. We thank you to for your Son Jesus our Saviour and great high priest who enables us to be closer to you. As we sit with this now, that you the Lord of all creation made things so that we can be in your presence, loved and safe, fill us with your joy and peace so that we go into this day to do your will through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Evening Prayer

Psalms 144 and 150

The first psalm is of a king who has prepared for war, he calls on God to be the strong deliverer. He expresses humility not just for himself but all people, asks for God to be with them in routing the enemy. The psalmist will sing praises, the youth and the land will flourish, there will be peace and all happiness will be restored once the battle is won.

The last psalm is of joyful and exuberant praise – instruments, dancing. “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord” (v6).

Exodus 16: 1 – 21

The Israelites are in the wilderness going towards Sinai. They have been away from Egypt for two and a half months and food is short. They complain to Aaron and Moses who say basically that they are only human, the people are complaining about God. God provides first a flock of quail then flakes of bread every morning - just enough. It goes rancid overnight except for the night before Sabbath. The people always have enough food.

1 Peter 3: 17 – 4: 2

If we do what is right and it is God’s will that we suffer for it we are better of than doing something wrong. Christ suffered for our sins, all of us good and bad. He was put to death for us. This is not like the time of Noah when masses died through water and only a few were saved. Our baptism is like an appeal to God for a clear conscience. So, if we are going to suffer for doing the right thing that just means we are stepping away from the human desires and stepping towards God.

Collect for Evening Prayer

The Reflective Pool: Wattle Bird and Shadow
Mandurah WA 2014 L Osburn

Compassionate and loving God so many times in history you have done marvellous things to keep us safe. It is hard for us to understand suffering. It is hard for us to believe in miracles. Help us tonight as we reflect, to see where we did what we knew was right and, if we did suffer bring that to you and sit closer to you right now. If we did something right and did not suffer help us to praise you and thank you through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.